Infectious Diseases Demographic Current Extent Current Situation Activism Sources

Medical Information


Malaria:


Transmission

  • Caused by sporozoites, a form of Plasmodium-a single celled organism
  • Sporozoites live in the salivary glands of some mosquitoes
  • Once the mosquito bites its victim it injects the sporozoites into the bloodstream
  • Then they make their way into the liver where they become a cyst. Here they evolve into merozoites. [This takes about ten days and the immune system is unaware of the virus at this point]
  • Then they break off into the blood stream and devour the red blood cells and reproduce at the same time
  • This is when the victim starts showing the malaria symptoms of high fever, lethargy, and anaemia
  • It can lead to cerebral malaria where the brain isn’t getting enough oxygen
  • Without treatment at this point there is a good chance the victim will die



Malaria spreads when a mosquito infected with the parasite that causes malaria bites a noninfected human. The parasite migrates to the person's liver. Infected liver cells burst, sending parasites into the person's bloodstream, where they reproduce further within the red blood cells. Finally, another mosquito bites the person, ingesting blood infected with the parasite. The second mosquito then can spread the parasite to other non-infected humans.
Malaria spreads when a mosquito infected with the parasite that causes malaria bites a noninfected human. The parasite migrates to the person's liver. Infected liver cells burst, sending parasites into the person's bloodstream, where they reproduce further within the red blood cells. Finally, another mosquito bites the person, ingesting blood infected with the parasite. The second mosquito then can spread the parasite to other non-infected humans.


Signs and Symptoms


The recurrence of the following signs and symptoms are most common for someone with malaria:

  • Moderate to severe shaking chills
  • High fever
  • Profuse sweating as body temperature falls
  • General feeling of unease and discomfort (malaise)

And various other signs and symptoms include:

  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

When presence of any of these symptoms arise after returning from a high risk malaria region, even up to 12 months after returning, one should consult their doctor and tell them of any recent travels.

Risk Factors


Malaria can deadly disease and the importance of being aware of such a disease when traveling to areas of risk is vital, one can never be too careful. People who have little or no immunity are those who often pose the biggest risk for the disease.

Treatment


When an individual is infected with malaria it is crucial that one seeks evaluation and treatment. Most of the time malaria is treated with the following drugs:


  • Chloroquine (Aralen)
  • Quinine sulfate
  • Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)
  • Combination of sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine (Fansidar)
  • Mefloquine (Lariam)
  • Combination of atovaquone and proguanil (Malarone)
  • Doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin, others)


HIV/AIDS


Signs and Symptoms


The signs and symptoms of an HIV/AIDS infection may include those of which various other disease have as well - these may include a fever, headache, sore throat, swollen lymph glands and rash. When carrying this virus it is possible to have it your system for up to eight or nine years or even more without even being aware of it. As time progresses and the virus continues to attack your immune system and to multiply, there are certain infections and chronic symptoms that may appear -

  • Swollen lymph nodes — often one of the first signs of HIV infection
  • Diarrhea
  • Weight loss
  • Fever
  • Cough and shortness of breath

Risk Factors


HIV/AIDS can enter into anyone's system - age, sex and race are not parts of the equation. You pose a risk to contracting this virus in the following situations -

  • having unprotected sex with multiple partners
  • having unprotected sex with someone who is HIV-positive
  • having another sexually transmitted disease, such as syphilis, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea or bacterial vaginosis
  • sharing needles for drug use

Treatment


HIV was identified in the early 1980s and at the time there were few drugs to treat the virus. But between then and now a number of medications have been developed, these drugs may not be the cure, but they have provided extended and improved the quality of life for the millions suffering. And it has been estimated by scientists at the National Institute of Health that since 1989, the drugs being used to help Americans who are HIV positive have given them 3 million years of extended life.

Tuberculois

Causes


You become infected with TB when you inhale TB bacteria into your lungs. But even though you're infected, your immune system may prevent you from developing symptoms of the disease.
You become infected with TB when you inhale TB bacteria into your lungs. But even though you're infected, your immune system may prevent you from developing symptoms of the disease.


Mycobacterium-tuberculosis.jpg
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis


- Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- TB spreads when someone with the bacteria coughs, speaks, or sneezes
Signs and Symptoms
  • A bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer
  • Weight loss
  • Coughing up blood or mucus
  • Weakness or fatigue
  • Fever and chills
  • Night sweats
>
> Risks
>
> - TB can be treated if caught early enough.
> - It can also be fatal if not caught or do not respond to drug treatments
> - If you have a depleated immune system you have a high risk of contraction.